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International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research

Development
Volume 4, Issue 9, September -2017

Antecedents of the Students Acceptance of Online Courses: A test of UTAUT in

the context of Sri Lankan Higher Education
1 2 3 4
Wijewardene. U. P. , Dharmaratne. G. D. I. K. , Azam. S. M. F. , Khatibi. A.
1
Graduate School of Management, Management & Science University
2
Graduate School of Management, Management & Science University
3
Graduate School of Management, Management & Science University
4
Graduate School of Management, Management & Science University

Abstract -The research comprehensively assessed the nomothetic validity of unified theory of acceptance and use of
technology (UTAUT) in a voluntary environment with respect to Sri Lankan higher education. State university students in
Sri Lanka who are having online learning experience, were considered, as the target population and the model of this
study was tested with a field sample of 348 students.A measuring instrument with 5-point likert scale has used to obtain
responses. First, the descriptive statistics of the study elaborated the primary data of the analysis. Secondly, the
regression analysis was applied to analyze the relationships demarcated in the theoretical model of the study.
Subsequently, the hypotheses were substantiated, by emphasizing the relationship among antecedents and online course
acceptance. The factors, which are highly influential to enhance the level of technology acceptance of online courses,
were filtered at the end, in order to take necessary management decisions and investments.

Keywords: Technology Acceptance, UTAUT, Online Courses, Information Systems, Behavioral Intention

I. INTRODUCTION

Online courses arein the midst of the newestpedagogical trends. The virtual nature of the online courses, enable learners
to hastilylearn, create and interconnectacademic substancesby achieving a great degree of information coverage,
discountingtime restrictions and proximity (Means et al. 2009; UUK, 2012a). In addition, online courses cost
significantly less than the traditional methodsince the need for resources is shortened(HEA, 2012b). Characteristics such
as tracking capabilities, review capabilities, just in time learning opportunitiesand self-paced learning abilities have made
online coursesmuch more beneficial (Marcum, 2014). Despite the advantages of online courses, the adoption of online
courses in Sri Lankan state educational institutes, as not as anticipated (Budget Estimation 2016 and 2017). In addition,
the attrition rates are relatively high in online courses (Abeysekera, and Perera, 2015; Crompton et al. 2016;Hung, 2012).
At the same time, only few amount of researches on online courses have conducted in Sri Lankan higher educational
context. Therefore, the study attempted to identify the factors affecting the acceptance of online courses by considering
theoretical overlaps and giving more attention to external factors.

II. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND AND RESEARCH MODEL

In examining the acceptance of IS such as online courses, several models were suggested by past researchers. TRA
(Ajzen and Fishbein, 1980; Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975), TBA (Ajzen, 1985), TAM (Davis et al. 1989), UTAUT
(Venkatesh et al. 2003; Venkatesh et al. 2012), DIT (Rogers, 2003) and IRT (Ram & Sheth, 1989) are prominent among
them. The UTAUT model can be considered as the conceptual foundation of study. Verified constructs, Performance
Expectancy (PE), Effort Expectancy (EE), Social Influence (SI), Facilitating Conditions (FC), Hedonic Motivation (HM)
and Habit (HT) are imbedded to the study. The UTAUT constructs PE and EE may also be viewed as TAMs perceived
usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU), respectively (Venkatesh et al. 2003).PE is define as the degree to
which the individuals believe that the use of the technologies will results in performance gains. EE is the degree of ease
associated with the use of the system. FC is students judgment about the resources, which are offered to use the system.
The FC is acting similar to perceived behavioural control (PBC) in TBA (Ajzen, 1991). The SI is defined as the level to
which students perceive that important others believe that they should do an online course. This variablebehave similar to
subjective norms (SN) in TPB and compatibility in DIT (Venkatesh et al. 2003). HM is the satisfaction gained from
operating the system, while HT defined as the level that users operate the system automatically, owing to experience. The
unique UTAUT variable voluntariness is plummeted, as students actions are completely voluntary, affecting no variance
in the dependent variable. There are seven constructs in the theoretical framework; PE, EE, SI, FC, HM, HT and BI.
Acceptance or Behavioural Intention (BI) can be defined as the level of the intention to use the facility (Ajzen, 1985;
Davis, 1989; Rogers, 2003; Venkatesh et al. 2012). The theoretical model of study discharges six hypotheses in total.
Hypotheses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are mainly proposed based on UTAUT; Venkatesh et al. (2012).

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 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 4, Issue 9, September-2017, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

H1: Performance Expectancy arouses the behavioural intention to use online courses.
H2: Effort Expectancy boosts the behavioural intention to use online courses.
H3: Social Influence induces the students intentions to accept online courses.
H4: Facilitating Conditions positively related to students intentions to accept online courses.
H5: Hedonic Motivation positively influence on students intentions to accept online courses.
H6: Habit positively impact on students intentions to accept online courses.

Variable Questions Source

Performance I think the OC enables me to accomplish my studies more quickly. Venkatesh et
Expectancy al. (2003).
I think the OC would make it easier for me to carry out my other work. Venkatesh et
al. (2003).
OC increases my chances of achieving things that are important to me. Venkatesh et
al. (2003).
Overall, I think the OC develops my capability. Venkatesh et
al. (2003).
Effort I think studying via OC would be easy. Venkatesh et
Expectancy al. (2003).
I think that handling OCs platform is difficult*. Venkatesh et
al. (2003).
My interaction with OC is clear and understandable. Venkatesh et
al. (2003).
It is easy to study from OC without help from others. Venkatesh et
al. (2003).
Intention to I would use the OC for my study needs. Davis (1989)
Use / Studying from OC is something that I would do. Davis (1989
Acceptance I would see myself using an OC for my study needs. Davis (1989
I will continue to use OC in long term. Davis (1989)
I have a plan to study OC in the near future. Venkatesh et
al. (2012)
I would love to use OC to gain knowledge. Venkatesh et
al. (2012)
I do not have any intention to use an OC*. Venkatesh et
al. (2012)
Social People who are important to me think that I should study an OC. Venkatesh et
Influence al. (2003).
People who influence my behaviour think that I should study an OC. Venkatesh et
al. (2003).
People whose opinions that I value prefer that I study an OC. Venkatesh et
al. (2003).
Studying an OC is not giving me a good social recognition*. Venkatesh et
al. (2003).
Facilitating I have the resources necessary to study the OC. Venkatesh et
Conditions al. (2003).
OC is compatible with other technologies I use. Venkatesh et
al. (2003).
Specialized instructions concerning use of the OC is available to me. Venkatesh et
al. (2003).
I have enough internet coverage for my living area to carry out my OC Venkatesh et
studies. al. (2003).
Hedonic Studying OC is pleasurable. Venkatesh et
Motivation al. (2012)
OC is exciting. Venkatesh et
al. (2012)
Studying OC is entertaining. Venkatesh et
al. (2012)
OC is motivating me to carry out my studies. Venkatesh et
al. (2012)

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 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 4, Issue 9, September-2017, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

Habit The OC has become a habit for me. Venkatesh et

al. (2012)
I must study an OC. Venkatesh et
al. (2012)
OC is link with my lifestyle. Venkatesh et
al. (2012)
I tend to use OC routinely, as it is very familiar. Venkatesh et
al. (2012)
Note: Online Course = OC
Table 1: Operationalization

III. RESEARCH METHOD

3.1.Data collection
State university students currently enrolled in online diploma courses, in Sri Lanka has taken as the target population of
the study.4878 students were selected out of 25 courses among five universities. The appropriate sample size is 357 and
550 students were chosen by considering the 65% response rate (Crompton et al. 2016; Mansour, 2016; Witt, et al. 2016).
The sample size was determined in relation to Krejcie and Morgan (1970) outcomes. According to Silva et al. (2013),
there are more within the group differences than among group differences, when consider the Sri Lankan higher
educational context. Hence, the simple random sampling was selected in the studywith the benefit ofthe higher
generalizability. Correspondingly, all elements in the population have considered equally as a result of the selected
sampling method (Sekaran and Bougie, 2014).

3.2.Instrument development
The measuring instrument (questionnaire) establishedaccording to thetheoretical background and objectives of the study.
Prominently, Venkatesh et al. (2012), Venkatesh et al. (2003) and Davis (1989) were considered at the operationalization
process (Table 1). It was derived after the reliability and validity test of the original instrument. The finalized instrument
was consisted with two parts (Part 1 and Part 2). Part 1 questions were targeted to obtain the demographic attributes of
the respondents. Part 2 focused to test the model. All the variables belong to Part II measured on five-point Likert-type
scale.

3.3.Results from descriptive analysis

78.4% students were withinthe age 20 to 40 while, 67.5 % of were female students. 83% of participants were unmarried
and 92.8% were fulltime students. Most of the students (43.1%)were having 1 to 3 years online learning experience
while, 64.7% were students. There were 61 workers, 59 executives and 3 top managers within the respondents. At the
same time, the weighted means of the variables were scanned to distinguish the peak of the responses to the measuring
instrument (questionnaire). Similarly, the mode values and median values were premeditated. Out of the theoretical
model variables, all the mean values were above 2.5. It specifies that the students werepleased with the servicesdelivered
by the educational institutes with related to all six variables. The lowest mean value was forSocial Influence (2.98) and
highest for Performance Expectancy (3.54) out of independent variables.

3.4.Results from factor analysis

The Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) analysis establishes reliability and validity data, systematicallywith compared to
Cronbachs Alpha analysis (Cohen et al, 2003). The convergent and discriminant validity of constructs were
measuredthrough the factor analysis procedure. The items in the questionnaire correlate sufficiently as the analysis of all
sevenconstructs describedbetween 0.3 to 0.9 correlations.Sixconstructs were excellentbeyond 0.8, while Social Influence
was 0.753 within the good range, 0.7 to 0.8. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy (KMO) was
0.939. According to Kaiser, (1974), values above 0.9 indicates that the sampling adequacy is marvellous. The KMO
value is significant (P value is less than 0.05) and it indicates that the study variables are adequate and appropriate to
carried out an EFA test (Bozdogan, 1987). The communalities values were adequate showing a figure above 0.6. Three
factors have been extracted according to the total variance explained table. Those three variables explained about
71.872% of the variance in the model (Appendix 2). The Scree Plot (Figure 1) also suggests that six factors were
extracted based on Eigenvalues above one. Hence, the EFA proved that different pragmatic contexts (Sri Lankan higher
education sector) show different results contradictory to past studies (UTAUTs) variable groupings and item groupings.
The pattern matrix also described three factors as per the outcomes of the total variance explained.

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 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 4, Issue 9, September-2017, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

Figure 1: Scree Plot

3.5.Results from regression analysis

Figure 2: Regression Analysis Standards Estimates

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 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 4, Issue 9, September-2017, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

Hypotheses Estimate S.E. C.R. P Label

BI <--- PE .453 .096 4.734 ***
BI <--- EE .460 .080 5.733 ***
BI <--- SI .058 .069 .831 .406
BI <--- FC .198 .072 2.747 .006
BI <--- HM .230 .083 2.776 .005
BI <--- HT .534 .089 6.007 ***
Table 2: Regression Weights(Default model)
According to the regression coefficient output (Table 4), the independent variable Social Influence (SI) is having a P-
value greater than 0.05 (.410). Therefore, it is not a significant predictor of Online Course Acceptance (BI). At the same
time, P-values for PE, EE, HM, HT and FC are having a P-value below 0.05. Hence, the independent variables, PE, EE,
HM, HT and FC are significant predictors of BI. When consider theinter-correlations amongst the independent variables
in the regression model, no variable represents a variance inflation factor (VIF) figure higher than 5.3. Mostly, the VIF
values, which surpass value 10.00,viewed as having multicollinearity (Holmbeck, 1997). Henceforth, there is no any
severeconcern of multicollinearity, with related tomodel variables.
The R-squared value of the stepwise regression increased from 0.713 to 0.842 towards the addition of each independent
variables. This describesthat the independent constructs (HT, PE, EE, HM, and FC) explain 84.2 % of the variation in
online courses acceptance (BI). At the same time, the residual plot (Figure 3) displays less heteroscedasticity, since the
residuals distributed as the prediction moves from small to large. According to the Coefficients (Stepwise Regression),
the regression equation explains as follows.

BI = -0.872 + .565 (HT) + .429 (PE) + .471 (EE) + .247 (HM) + .198 (FC)

Model Unstandardized Standardized Coef- t Sig. Collinearity

Coefficients ficients Statistics
B Std. Er- Beta Tolerance VIF
ror
(Constant) -.872 .642 -1.359 .175
HT .565 .082 .310 6.903 .000 .229 4.359
PE .429 .092 .219 4.660 .000 .209 4.795
EE .471 .080 .235 5.898 .000 .290 3.449
HM .247 .081 .144 3.042 .003 .207 4.838
FC .198 .073 .109 2.720 .007 .290 3.451
a. Dependent Variable: BI
Table 5: Coefficients (Stepwise Regression)

Figure3: The Residual Plot (Regression Scatterplot)

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 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 4, Issue 9, September-2017, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

IV. CONCLUSIONS

This study aimed to develop an UTAUT model to predict and explain students behavioural intentions with regard to
adopting online courses, in the Sri Lankan higher educational context.Firstly, the linear model of the researchelucidated
that the independent constructscaused 84.2% variance in online courses acceptance (dependent variable). Out of all six
independent constructs, HT, PE, EE, HM and FC are significant predictors of Online Courses Acceptance, while the con-
struct SI was not significant. According to the regression outcomes, the Habit (HT) considered as the most influential
independent variable, with representing 0.565 change in BI. The lowermost variance triggered by the constructFacilitat-
ing Conditions (FC) with only 0.198alteration in the acceptance. Secondly, the EFAresultedthree factors as per the Total
Variance Explainedoutcome. Those three constructs explained 71.872% variance via the conceptual model of the study.
Therefore, the EFA outcome indicated that the conventional UTAUT measuring instrument not persistentlyreplicated at
the pragmatic Sri Lankan higher educationalcircumstances.Thirdly, as per the residual plot outcomes, the cantered dis-
persal of the plot of residuals interprets that the estimations and statistical forecasts are reasonable. At the same time,
thehomogeneously scattered residuals vary from smallest to largest prediction movement illuminatedthe less heterosce-
dasticity with identical variance in the acceptance across the range of values of independent variables. Consequently, the
managerial implications based on the research conceptreveal, that the advancements of online course service features
with related toperformance development, easy use, course facilitations, more IS platform practise and motivating features
are imperative to increase the online course acceptance among Sri Lankan university students.

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